The long wait for Golden Corral's return to the Lehigh Valley is nearly over.

The popular buffet chain's Whitehall Township location is slated to open its doors on Thursday -- a year and one day after municipal officials approved the restaurant's construction -- according to a Lehigh Valley Mall news release.

The chain's last Lehigh Valley restaurant was in Emmaus, but that location closed in 2005.

"Lehigh Valley Mall is excited to have Golden Corral opening on our property," mall spokeswoman Amanda Johnson said. "The highly-anticipated buffet and grill will help to expand the mall’s already-extensive variety of restaurant and dining options."

Golden Corral is known for its well-priced, endless buffets, wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner options, as well as made-to-order breakfast omelettes, the release says.

The new, 400-seat eatery was built on the former Chi-Chi's restaurant site off Ring Road across from Macy's at the mall. It's visible from Route 22.